Eastern Cherokees seeking exclusivity for Class III gaming

Monday, November 14, 2011  

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians continues to negotiate a new Class III gaming compact with North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue (D).

According to a document obtained by the Associated Press, the tribe wants to be the exclusive operator of Class III games west of Interstate 95. In exchange, the tribe is offering 8.5 percent of gross revenues for table games with live dealers at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

According to the AP, Perdue wants to move the exclusivity boundary closer to the reservation and she wants a share of all gaming revenues -- not just table games. Lawmakers have agreed to take up the compact once negotiations have concluded.

Separately, an expansion of liquor sales beyond the casino could be on the tribal ballot in April 2012.

Get the Story:
Negotiations between NC governor, Cherokees over casino games expansion get more complicated (AP 11/11)
Cherokee voters to weigh alcohol question in April (The Asheville Citizen-Times 11/14)

Related Stories:
Eastern Cherokee businesses support liquor beyond casino (11/9)
Eastern Cherokees consider sales of alcohol beyond casino (11/2)
Eastern Cherokee casino could face competition for alcohol (10/12)